CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSSCorporal Bainbridge served with the R-2 section of the 5th Marine Regiment on Guadalcanal. On the night of 12 August 1942, he joined a patrol led by Colonel Frank Goettge, intending to investigate reports of a surrendering Japanese encampment.
The patrol was ambushed and cut off, backs against the sea. Bainbridge was ordered to make a break for Marine lines in search of help. He was killed en route, and his body found by a Marine patrol in the following days. He was buried near the mouth of the Matanikau River.
Post-war search teams were unable to locate Bainbridge’s body.